Fungal metabolites: The good, the bad and the deadly
22 April 2001 - 22 April 2001
A five-day International Symposium will address both the problems and opportunities associated with the whole range of activities of bioactive fungal metabolites. The symposium will be held in Swansea, Wales, from 22 to 27 April 2001,
Fungal metabolites have been used to develop several important medical and agrochemical agents, and continue to be investigated as a source of lead compounds in these industries. Strategies for the successful detection and exploitation of bioactive lead compounds will be examined. Some metabolites also have negative effects, particularly in relation to contamination of raw food. The ecology, production and control of mycotoxins will also be addressed in this symposium.
In addition, the meeting will assess whether metabolites produced by fungal biological control agents pose a risk to human and animal health and will include a review of measures to detect and/or prevent toxic fungal metabolites entering the food chain.
This conference will be of considerable interest to scientists, representatives of industry and government health, food and environmental services, say the organisers from the British Mycological society (BMS).
The BMS is also organising a network discussion workshop to provide an opportunity for participants to identify new partners for collaborative research.
Sessions include:
- overview;
- fungi as a source of novel bioactive compounds;
- tools and methods to study fungal metabolites;
- optimising the production of bioactive metabolites;
- mycotoxins;
- risk assessment for fungal biological control agents;
- network discussions.
'The BMS meeting is far reaching and has encouraged active participation of colleagues from the EU - especially those who manage COST programmes as well as RTD grants,' says a spokesperson from the BMS.
'This meeting will contribute to the progress, problems and potential for reducing mycotoxin intake, which is one of the Communitiy's priority areas. It also addresses the potential risks involved in using fungal biological control agents (BCAs) as a strategy for reducing the input of synthetic chemical pesticides into the environment. Many of these beneficial fungi also produce toxins and their potential impact will have a major bearing on future implementation strategies.'
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Tariq M. Butt
School of Biological Sciences
University of Wales Swansea
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
UK
Tel. +44-1792-295374; Fax +44-1792-295447
Email: T.Butt@swansea.ac.uk
Fungal metabolites have been used to develop several important medical and agrochemical agents, and continue to be investigated as a source of lead compounds in these industries. Strategies for the successful detection and exploitation of bioactive lead compounds will be examined. Some metabolites also have negative effects, particularly in relation to contamination of raw food. The ecology, production and control of mycotoxins will also be addressed in this symposium.
In addition, the meeting will assess whether metabolites produced by fungal biological control agents pose a risk to human and animal health and will include a review of measures to detect and/or prevent toxic fungal metabolites entering the food chain.
This conference will be of considerable interest to scientists, representatives of industry and government health, food and environmental services, say the organisers from the British Mycological society (BMS).
The BMS is also organising a network discussion workshop to provide an opportunity for participants to identify new partners for collaborative research.
Sessions include:
- overview;
- fungi as a source of novel bioactive compounds;
- tools and methods to study fungal metabolites;
- optimising the production of bioactive metabolites;
- mycotoxins;
- risk assessment for fungal biological control agents;
- network discussions.
'The BMS meeting is far reaching and has encouraged active participation of colleagues from the EU - especially those who manage COST programmes as well as RTD grants,' says a spokesperson from the BMS.
'This meeting will contribute to the progress, problems and potential for reducing mycotoxin intake, which is one of the Communitiy's priority areas. It also addresses the potential risks involved in using fungal biological control agents (BCAs) as a strategy for reducing the input of synthetic chemical pesticides into the environment. Many of these beneficial fungi also produce toxins and their potential impact will have a major bearing on future implementation strategies.'
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Tariq M. Butt
School of Biological Sciences
University of Wales Swansea
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
UK
Tel. +44-1792-295374; Fax +44-1792-295447
Email: T.Butt@swansea.ac.uk